Police seek suspect in assault of man on bus bench

The Santa Monica Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect who allegedly assaulted a man with a rock late last month.

The man told police that he was sitting on a bus bench at Seventh Street and Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica Oct. 28, when he was approached from behind by a person walking westbound, Sgt. Richard Lewis said.

The suspect allegedly struck the man on the right side of his head, causing him to fall to the ground, Lewis said.

When the victim looked up, he said he saw a suspect, who appeared to be homeless, continuing to walk westbound on Wilshire Boulevard while holding a large rock or stone in his hand, Lewis said.

The victim, who suffered major injuries to his head, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, Lewis said.

The suspect is described only as a man of unknown race, approximately 40 to 50 years old, 5-foot-4 to 5-foot-5, with a thin build, police said.